Indicating device



3, 1939- R. B. JOHNSON 2,168,443

INDICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l F IG.1.

IO 22 3 3| A'ILTORNEY g- 3, 3 R. B JOHNSON I 2,168,443

INDICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1936 3 Sheets$heet 2 l I I I l E INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 8, 1939. R B JOHNSON 2,168,443

INDICATING DEVICE Filed Jan. 3, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4.

5'0 I9 19 I903 19" ISIS ISI JII I318 19B 1920 INVENTOR ATTORNEY lllai Eatented. Aug. 8, 1939 A PATENT OFFICE INDICATING DEVICE Reynold B. Johnson, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation or New York Application January 3, 1936, Serial No. 57,341

14 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for indicating graphically the results of counting operations.

The machine of the present invention is provided with a-series of vertical adjustable tapes mounted so that normally the 'upper ends of the tapes coincide with a horizontal datum line. Each tape is operated by a key which may be depressed onev or more steps a variable. number of times to move the end of the tape a differential distance above the datum line. After a number of adjacent tapes are operated, a comparison may be'made by observing the graphline formed by the upper ends of the tapes. The tapes are graduated with markings placed so that after adjustment, a number representing the number of steps of adjustment appears at the datum line. Directlybelow each tape near, the datum line, is an identification mark of the name, numher or date represented by the 'tape. A reading counting and indicating devices which together I form a graphical indication of the variation between various classes of counted items. There (are' provided a series of adjustable indicating tapes each of which is separately operated-and extended a distance proportional to the number of items in a related class. If it is desired to record the count of a single class of items, then only one tape need be adjusted. But, if it is wished that a comparison be made between different classes of items, then a plurality of tapes are adjusted to represent the count of items in the related classes.

An object of the invention is to provide a plurality of different operating means for adjusting the counting and indicating tapes. A direct positive drive and a remote electric operating control are part of the machine. A tape is adjusted either by direct manipulation by key depression, by electric impulses initiated when a remote control key is depressed, or by electric impulses sent automatically from a record controlled tabulating machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a graph sheet marking and cutting guide. The upper ends of the series of adjusted tapes form a guide for a marking or cutting tool bearing against a graph sheet. The tapes may be colored in contrast with the background and a graph produced by taking a photograph of the tapes. A hole at the upper end of each tape provides a means for guiding a pencil in making vertical graph lines ofdiflerential length as the tapes are moved by the pencil to indicating position or restored from indicating position to normal position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby two relatedgraph figures or numbers, such as the ordinate and abscissa readings of a graph, are placed close together. In the usual graph, the two readings identifying the placement of a point on the graph line are remote from each other on the left and bottom edges of the graph. In the present tape construction. the ordinate reading appearing as a graduation on the tape, is directly above the abscissa reading of the same point. There is a dual indication of the ordinate reading, because in addition to the tape graduation reading, the top of the tape marks a similar reading in alignment therewith at the left of the graph.

A feature of 'the invention is the use of thin steel tapes as counting, indicating and marking guides. The tapesare strengthened and stiffened by being formed with a curved cross-section.

The invention is illustrated by a set of drawings which form part of the disclosure.

- In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a frontelevation view of the machine showing a series of tapes in adjusted positions in front of a sheet of cross section paper.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the machine showing the differential key stop and key release controls. p

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation view of the machine taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 4 shows a graph sheet which has been cut under the guidance of the adjusted tapes and placed against a background of contrasting color.

Fig. 5 shows a crosssection of the curved tape.

The machine is mounted in a framework comprising base side frames l I and i2; front-plates l3 and ll, rear plates [5 and I0, and a top plate l1.

Mounted between'side frames II and I2, is a shaft l8 carrying a series of loosely pivoteddrums IS. The periphery of each drum is curved and a similarly curved thin steel tape 20 is held against the lower part of the drum by three rollers 2| cooperating with the sides and bottom of the drum l9. Three shafts 22 are mounted in the side frames carrying the loosely pivoted rollers 2|. Shoulders 23 on the rollers guide the edges of the tape 28 so that it is held in place on the curved periphery of the drum and so that the two upwardly extending free ends of the tape are held in an exact vertical plane at right angles to the base of the machine.

As seen in Fig. 1, a plurality of such closely v mounted tapes 28 are provided to project up over the front of the machine. Each tape 2ll is provided with a drum l8 and a set of three guide rollers 21,

The tape 28 is formed with a curvedcross section as shown in Fig. 5 so that it is strengthened and stiffened. Therefore, both of the free ends of the tape remain rigidly in vertical position even when fully extended up 'beyondthe guiding influence of rollers 2|.

The forward partof each tape 28 projects up through a slot in the bottom L shaped end of front plate 13. The front end of the tape terminates in a flat shoulder 24 which may be used as a marking or cutting u de. Beneath the shoulder is a hole 25 perforated in the tape. A rapid adjustment of the tape may be made by grasping the shoulder 24 and pulling the tape up to the proper position. Another method of adjustment is to insert thepoint of a pencil or other marking means in the hole 25 and shift the end of the tape to wherever desired and at the same time make a mark of a differential length on the graph'sheet under the tape.

The rear part of each'tape 26 (Fig. 3) pro.- .iects up parallel to and in contactwith the inside of the rear plate I5. At the upper end of the tape is attached a single toothed block 26 cooperating" with teeth 21 cut in the side of a keystem 28 guided for vertical movement, in a slot 29 in the top plate 11 and a notch in an angle iron 36 fastened between the side frames.

A spring 31 raises the keystem 28 until an extension 32 thereon abuts against the bottom of an adjustable rod v33. Manipulation of the button 34 at the top of the keystem will lower the keystem until the bottom end thereof strikes the fiattened top of a fixed stop shaft 35 held between the side frames. Leaf springs 36 and 31 urge the keystem towards the rear so that toothe block 26 is engaged by one of the teeth 21.

As seen in Fig. 1, a plurality of keystems 28 are provided, one for each tape 20. The construction and operation of the stems is uniform, so that a description of one applies to all others.

The distance that the rear end of the tape is shoved down by the depression of the key depends on the normal space between, the bottom of the keystein and the top of shaft 35, and that in turn depends on the position of rod 33 which holds the keystem in normal position. The location of rod 33 may be varied to confine the movement of the keystem within 0-5 steps.

Attached to a shaft 38 pivoted in the side frames are a pair of arms 39 which carry the rod 33. The. parts form a bail overlying the extensions 32 on all the keystems 28, said ball rocking with shaft 38. Outside the right side frame ll- (Fig. 2) a for adjusting the tapes by manipulation of shoulpointer arm 48 is fastened to the shaft 38. The pointer arm carri s a knob 4| and a plungerwhich may be set in an; one of the six holes 42 in the on the tape. If-the keystem 28 is fully depressed, a tooth 21 on the stem engages the tooth 26 and the tape is pushed down in the rear and around the drum and up five graduations at the front of the graph machine. The friction between the tape and the rear plate 15 and other parts, prevents the tape from following the keystem back upward to normal position. Spring 31 restores the keystem as soon as. downward pressure is removed therefrom. Springs 36 and 31 yield on the upward movement of the keystem so that teeth 21 ratchet idly over the tooth 26.

A means is provided to disengage the keystems from the tapes so that the tapes may be restored or the pointer 48 may be readjusted to give the keys a new differential setting. Each keystem 28 is formed with a pair of notched shoulders 43 and 44. Cooperating with the shoulders are bars 45 and 46 fastened to shafts 41 and 48, respectively, carried by the side frames. The bars extend across the machine in association with all the keystems so that when they are operated all tapes are released. The two bars are joined for parallel movement by a link 48 which is articulated between arms 58 and 5| fastened to the shafts 41 and 48 carrying the bars. Outside the right side frame ll (Fig. 2) a restoring arm 52" is fastened to shaft 48. A knob 53 on this arm 52 may be grasped and operated to swing the arm so thata plunger thereon projects in either of two holes 54 designated in and out on the plate.

When arm 52 is rocked to the left to the out position, shaft 48 is rocked counterclockwise and through link 48, shaft 41 is rocked a similar amount in the same direction. Then bars 45 and 46 bear against shoulders 43 and 44 and carry all the keystems 28 to the left against the pressure of springs 36 and 31. This serves to disengage all the teeth 21 from toothed blocks 26 to free the tapes for restoration.

The tapes 20 may be restored individually by grasping a shoulder 24 or placing a pencil in a hole 25 to draw the front end of a tape down to normal position. All the tapes may be restored simultaneously by placing a ruler horizontally across the top of all shoulders 24 and drawing it down to the bottom.

While the keystems are held out of engagement, the rod 33 may be adjusted to set the keystems for a different differential movement without disturbing the tapes. Pointer 48 (Fig. 2) may be swung to the left into engagement with one of the holes 42 other than the hole at the extreme right. As it is moved this way, shaft 38 is rocked in a clockwise direction and arms 38 lower rod 33 against extensions 32 to shove thekeystems 28 down nearer to shaft 35. Thereafter, depression of any key will result in a tape movement of less than five steps, the amount of movement dey pending on the position of pointer 48.

When restoring arm 52 is moved back to the right, into the position shown in Fig. 2, bars 45 and 46 release the keystems and permit them to be engaged again with the toothed blocks 26.

In addition to the direct mechanical methods shafts 56 and 51. Another pair of brackets 61 i means nected in a similar fashion to an armature lever 63'. Beneath armatures 63 are stationed a series of magnets 64- supported on an'angle iron i! fastened to the inside of the front plate. Interspersed between magnets 64, and below the same, are another series of magnets H in alignment with links and armatures 61'. These magnets 64' are fixed on an angle iron 65' fastened to plate IS. The staggered placement of the ma nets 64 and 64' is designed merely to provide more space for the magnets than the space that would otherwise be provided with all magnets in one line.

Whenever a magnet 64 or 64 is energized, the associated armature lever and link is operated, and operating lever 58 is drawn down to press against pin 59 and depress the keystem 28. The differential movement or adjustment of the related tape 20 is eilected through teeth 21 and movement of the keystem between stop rod 33 and stop 35 just as when operated manually. Deenergization of the magnet releases the parts for a restoring movement as urged by spring 81 which brings the parts back to and holds them in the normal position,

The magnets 64 and 84' are wired sothat they may be controlled by keys 86 (Fig. 2) remote from the machine. There is a key 68 for each magnet in the machine. Depression of a key closes a pair of contacts 61 to establish a circuit through wires 68, 69 and 1!, switch 13 and the battery or other current source 10; A cable I! contains all the wires-leading to and from the graph machine. Wire 69 is connected to all the ma nets 64 and 64' in series, and the separate wires 88, 58, 68", etc., are each connected to a separate related magnet 64 or 84. Through these connections it is possible to direct the adjustment of any tape 20 from a remote point by depressing a selected key 66 to energize the proper magnet 84. I Other wiring connections are provided to place the graph counting and indicating device of the present invention under the control of a record sensing tabulating machine such as the machine disclosed in U. S, Patent No. 2,010,653, issued August 6, 1935, to R. Warren. At the lower right end of Fig. 2 there is shown aportion of the wiring diagram of Patent No. 2,010,653 and connections thereto from magnets 64 and N, the arrangement being such that every time one of a pair of countermagnets HOWE and IIIRE are energized, an associated graph counter magnet 64 or 64' is also energized. It is fully explained in the patent mentioned, how examination papers are sensed for correct responses to printed questions, and how magnet I'IIRE is energized once for each correct answer and magnet HOWE is energized for each wrong answer.

If it is desi that the adjustment of the' tapes 2!] be controlle automatically by the scoring machine of Patent No. 2,01Q; 653, switch 13 is moved to contact a wire 14 connected to a main line "I of the machine and plug wires 15 and I! are connected so'that a pair of magnets 64 are placed in parallel with magnets I IIWE and HIRE. Then whenever a scoring magnet is energized, the associated graph magnet is operated. For example, whenever magnet IIDWE is energized, the

relatedmagnetflis'energizedbyanimpiu through the parallel connections including plug wire 1', wire", magnet, wire it, switch II, and wire ll to line Ill.

Before selecting test scoring control, pointer ll may be set to the "1 position so that each energimtion of a magnet it raises the related tape 20 one graduation. Thus the tapes may e usedto count and indicate the number of right and wronganswers given by one pupil or a group of pupils. Other classifications may be made according to the identification of the questions, the class of the pupil, etc., the graph indications then showing comparisons of right and wrong answers or comparisons of. right answers by classes or questions.

Fig. 1 is an illustration of the appearance of the front of the machine after a series of tapes 20 have been adiusted'to graph indicating position. In this view it is seen that a sheet of cross section paper 11 is placed behind the tapes. The top edge of the sheet 11 is held in place by a recessed moulding ll fastened to the front of the machine. The bottom edge of the sheet 'Il (Fig. 3) is supported on a shoulder extending from the front plate II. The tops of the tapes also serve to hold the record sheet in place because even whenthe tapes are in the lowest or normal position they extend above the shoulder on plate ii. A slanted frame I! is fastened to the front plates ll andrll and provided with an inner channel ll acting as a guide for an indicating strip II. The frame Ills cut with a series of apertures I! (Fig; 1) one for each taperand in alignment therewith to show a properly spaced number on the strip Ii. As seen in Fig. 2, the frame I! is slotted at 83 so that strip Ii may be easily removed and a new identification strip entered to suit new requirements. The strip shown in Fig. 1 identifies the tapes as representing years, starting with the year 1910.

in a vertical column at the'left of the machine are thej'ordinate notation which maybe stamped in'the frame of the machine and printed on the border of the graph sheet. The spaces of five units between the numberscorrespond to a space of five graduations on the tapes II. The lowest ordinate figure 0" is in alignment with the horizontal datum line which marks the normal position of the tops of the tapes.

After a tape 2. is adjusted, it is not necessary to scanthe ordinate numbers to determine the.

extent of adjustment of the tape. All that is required is to look directly above the'abscissa notation and observe the tape numeral or graduationin line with the datum line. For example, the 1913" tape shows an adjustment of 45 graduations. The two related figures 1913 and 45 are close together and easily read with one glance. This. is an improvement over the usual method of reading a graph by tracing a line up and over in order to get the two widely separated ordinate and abscissa readings.

Instead of marking a stepped graph line such as line 84, an angular line may be built up by marking through the holes I in the tapes. If the adjustment is controlled manually, the marking may be done as the tapes 2| are moved up to indicating position. However, if the tapes are moved up by any of the other three key Operated and automatic means, the marking of vertical graph lines by a pencil or pen extended through holes 25 may be done as the tapes are being pushed-down into normal position.

When the graph sheet 11 is removed after such markings, a series of spaced vertical lines are found extending up from the datum line. tops of these vertical lines may be joined by short angular lines which together form a graph line.

Another form of graph may be made by pressing a cutting tool or knife instead of a pencil along the line 84 (Fig. 1) and thus cut out a colored graph sheet 84 (Fig. 4) which shows up in a clear way when backed by'a cardboard 85 of contrasting color.

An efiect such as that shown in Fig. 4 may be produced in another way by taking a photograph or photostat of the ,front of the graph machine with the tapes adjusted (Fig. 1). For such purposes the tapes 20 may be painted a solid color and the spaces between the'tapes may be decreased in width or eliminated entirely by widening the tapes until their sides touch.

The counting and graph indicating devices disclosed herein may be controlled from a plurality of remote points by locating the keys 66 at such points, or by plugging into tabulating machines at different stations. If the capacity of one graph indicator is not suflicient, a plurality of such machines may be placed side by side to extend a graph. In addition to the use for general business administration, the disclosed graph devices have utility in connection with' competitive sales campaigns, production control records,

- questionnaire analysis and many other fields of statistical work. 7

While there has been shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: 1. In a counting device, an indicating marker with a fixed datum line, a tape marked with grad- ,uations, a block on said tape, means for supportingsaid tape so thatit is freefor movement 7 in a straight line and so that a certain graduatio non said tape registers with said fixed datum line on said marker, a manipulative key and a keystem attached thereto, said keystem having teeth cooperating with the block on said tape to adjust it one or more steps according to the extent of operation of the key and the number of times the key is operated so that a selected graduation on the tape registers with said datum line, and means for restoring said key and keystem.

2. In a counting device,an indicating marker with a datum line, a tape marked with graduations, a toothed block on one end of said tape, means for supporting and guiding said tape so that it is held in place but free for positive adjustment in a straight line over said marker, a

manipulative key and a keystem attached thereto, said keystem being formed with ratchet teeth cooperating with the block on said tape to adjust it, when the key is depressed, means for restoring said key and keystem and means for adjustably limiting the movement of the keystem so that'the key advances the tape a certain number of gradu- The ations beyond said datum line every time the key is depressed.

3. In a machine for comparing the count of difl'erent classes of items, an indicating marker with a datum line, a series of tapes marked with graduations, one tape for each class of items, toothed blocks on said'tapes, means for supporting said tapes in juxtaposition for parallel movement near said marker, a series of manipulative keys, one for each tape, and keystems formed with ratchet teeth attached to said keys for cooperating with said toothed blocks to move the related tapes through different distances from said datum line depending on the number of times said keys are operated, and means for restoring said keys and keystems after each operation.

4. In agraphlc counter, a drum, a thin tape with a bent cross section on said drum with two I the ends of said tape for operating the other end of said tape so thatsaid one end is moved a corresponding distance:

5. In a graph indicating and counting device, a series or parallel'tapes each having a tooth projection, a series of manipulative keystems for shifting the tapes differentially, one for each tape and each provided with teeth for engaging the tooth on the related tape, an adjustable stop common to all keystems for limiting the manipulated movement thereoL'means for restoring the keystems, means for normally holding the keystems engaged with the tapes, means common to all the keystems for disengaging them from said tapes, and means adapting the tapes to .be restored to normal position. i

6. In a graph indicating and counting device, a series of parallel tapes marked with graduations, individual operating means formoving said tapes step by step diflferent distances dependent on the number of times a related operating means is operated, a pair of stops common to all operating means for limiting the movement of said operating means in two directions. and manipulative means for adjusting one of said stops so that the range of operation of said operating means is limited and the number 01' graduations that said tapes are to be moved is predetermined.

' 7. In a graph sheet marking device adapted for control by a sheet marking pointer, a plurality of tapes mounted in juxtaposition in front of said sheet, means for supporting said tapes for parallel movement, each tape being formed with a hole, through which said pointer may be inserted to contact said sheet for marking graph lines thereon as said tapes are moved variable distances by the pointer.

8. In a graph indicating and counting device, a plurality of graduatedtapes mounted in juxtaposition, one end of each tape being formed'with a shoulder which may be manipulated to adjust the tape, means for' supporting and guiding the tapes, a plurality of keys one for each tape, keystems attached to said keys and formed with teeth cooperating with the ends of the tapes opposite to said shouldered ends to move the tapes predetermined, amounts, adjustable means for limiting the amount of movement of said keystems, aseries of magnets with connections tosaid keystems for operating said pairs of contacts with circuits including said magnets, and remote control keys for closing an associated pair of said contacts to operate a related magnet the connections of which adjust a corresponding keystem and tape a predeterminedamount.

9. In a graph sheet marking device adapted for control by a sheet marking pointer, a plurality of tapes mounted in juxtaposition in front of said sheet, each tape being formed with a hole, means for adjusting said tapes individually variable distances, each hole acting as a guide for said pointer when it is inserted therethrough to touch the sheet and mark a line of the adjusted length on the sheet as each tape is restored by movement of said pointer.

10. In a graph indicating device, a series of drums mounted co-axially, a series of thin metal tapes of bent cross section on said drums with two ends of each tape extending therefrom, means for holding one of said tapes against each of said drums so that the two ends of the tape project up vertically from the periphery of the drum, and a set of keys and toothed keystems thereon, one for each tape, said keys and keystems being mounted in the space between the ends of the tapes' and each cooperating with one end of the tape to move the other end to a selected indicating position, and a'vertical indicator plate tangent to the front edge of said drums, said'other ends of said tapes moving unsupported over said plate.

11. In a graphic counter, aseries of thin me tallic tapes with a bent cross section, guide rollers, individual coaxially mounted drums around which said tapes are guided and normally formed in J shapes with the lower part' of each tape held in contact with of the periphery of a drum by said guide rollers and the one short end and the other long end extending vertically therefrom, a, toothed block on the longend of each tape, a series of keys and attached keystems formed with ratchet teethfor cooperating with the blocks on the tapes, an adjustable stop common to all the keystems for limiting the movement thereof when the attached key is depressed to push down the long end and raise the short end of the associated tape, means for restoring depressed keystems, a fixed vertical indicator plate over which the short ends of the tapes are moved up to indicating positions, means common to all the keystems for shifting them out of cooperation with the blocks on the tapes,

and means adapting the tapes to be restored to normal position.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a board, tapes of the type that may be bent around a support but which are stiff and bar-like when straightened, and means positioned near one edge of the board to support each of the tapes while permitting any desired length thereof to be extended therefrom and be stretched across the face of the board.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a board, supports distributed along an edge of the board with their axes parallel to the plane of the board, and'tapes, of the type that are comparatively stiif. or rigid and bar-like when straightened, held on said supports and adapted to be drawn therefrom in any desired lengths to be extended across a face of the board.. I

14. A device of the character described, comprising a board, a series of drums distributed along an edge of the board with their axes parallel to the plane of the board, rollers cooperating withsaid drums, and tapes, of the type that are comparatively stiff or rigid and bar-like when straightened but which may be bent around part of the periphery of the drums and held thereon by the rollers and drawn therefrom in any de sired lengths to be extended across the face of the board.

' REYNOLD B. JOHNSON. 

